A new approach for philanthropists and citizens to co‐fund disruptive innovation in global health

1Faculty of Communications & International Technology and Innovation PolicyOffice of the PresidentGaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey

2The Fearey Group, Seattle, WA, USA

3Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India

Visionary ideas and innovation are needed to tackle a variety of global health problems. A structured combination of crowdfunding and angel investors could support research currently considered too uncertain for funding by national systems.

The current focus of medical research on increasing the quantity, rather than the quality, of life is damaging our health and harming the economy

Longer lifespans, often ending with multiple diseases, threaten the viability of social and health systems. Rather than prolonging life further, research and funding should focus on increasing the quality of life in old age.

Is the lab CEO the future of academic research?

Commercial research services – genome sequencing and analysis, culture collection – make research in the life sciences easier, but carry the risk of fundamentally altering the role of researchers in research and potentially stifling creativity.

Considering the future of science journalism

Science journalism is changing and the opportunities are as great as the pitfalls. Digital technologies, mobile devices and social media platforms are changing the communication landscape, reflecting a deeper, more general cultural shift in news production and consumption.

Social and natural scientists need to establish mutual understanding and a common language to efficiently work together

2CSG Centre for Society and the Life Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

3Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation, Delft, The Netherlands

4Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

5BE‐Basic, Delft, The Netherlands

Socially responsible innovation to reduce the ethical, environmental or legal risks of new technologies requires the close cooperation of natural scientists and social scientists as an integral part of research & development.